Batting first, Toft made a positive start with both Carolan and Blackburn punishing anything loose before James Hawley struck to remove Carolan, well caught by Tunwell at point to bring Andy Bones to the crease.

The score had reached 92 before the next wicket fell when Barney Cutbill removed his opposing skipper Bones for a well made 30, prompting a middle order collapse in partnership with leg spinner Nathan Allen as runs dried up and pressure was exerted on the batsmen.

At 139 for 6 off 40 overs Macclesfield were in the driving seat but as the bowlers tired, the partnership between Mudalige (18) and Muirhead was to change the game again.

Muirhead batted sensibly in a fighting innings of 50, eventually falling to Allen, before some late hitting from Ashley (18) got the total to 225 for 9 declared off 55 overs.

Pick of the Macc bowlers were Barney Cutbill with 3-44 and Aussie leg spinner Nathan Allen with 5-71 in a long spell.

After tea, Macc batsmen needed to score just over four runs an over. However at 23 for 2, with both Sawas and Porter back in the shed courtesy of excellent balls from Brock, the run chase was not looking good.

Jason Knight, on his return to the side, had a 93 run partnership with Ben Morrison.

Unfortunately for Macc, both established batsmen fell for 52 runs a piece inside three overs meaning the run rate slowed as Allen and Martin Tunwell rebuilt the innings.

Tunwell and Melrose were both bowled by Muirhead for 11, before a partnership of 42 in five overs between Allen and Hawley put Macc in with a chance of winning the game.

Hawley was eventually run out for 21, leaving Macc needing 20 runs from nine balls.

With 16 needed off the final over there was still a chance, but with all the fielders on the boundary it was going to be tough.

The innings closed at 220 for 7 off 55 overs with Nathan Allen scoring his second half century of the season - finishing with an excellent 51 not out. Toft finished the game with 14 points to Macc’s 10.

Macc travel to Alderley Edge next Saturday.

Macclesfield’s second, third and fourth teams all won their games, including a brilliant 7-29 return for Chris Moores, nephew of England coach Peter, for the seconds in their victory against Upton.